In a unique fusion of luxury tourism and wedding culture, Taiwan’s FDC International Hotels Corporation, in collaboration with Lion Travel and Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), launched the island’s first-ever “wedding train” experience on Tuesday. Designed to cater to affluent couples seeking a one-of-a-kind celebration, the service offers Michelin-starred dining, a scenic round-trip rail journey from Taipei to Hualien, and curated leisure activities in the picturesque eastern region.
🚆 A New Era of Destination Weddings on Rails
Dubbed the “Wedding Train”, this luxury rail package is more than a mode of transportation—it is a full-day romantic celebration on rails. The round-trip journey lasts 8.5 hours, including a 2.5-hour leisure stop in Hualien, a region known for its breathtaking natural beauty including the Taroko Gorge, East Rift Valley, and the Pacific coastline.
Unlike conventional wedding venues, this experience offers a mobile banquet hall on tracks, equipped with 50 gourmet dining seats, lavish décor, and personalized service, elevating the concept of wedding travel to a new height.
🍽️ Michelin-Star Cuisine at 100 km/h
The highlight of this venture is its gourmet dining offering. Guests are served a multi-course wedding banquet prepared by chefs from FDC’s Palais Collection, a three-star Michelin culinary team. The food is tailored for onboard service without compromising on flavor or presentation—something rarely achieved in train dining.
This project builds upon Lion Travel’s successful “Future Express Kitchen” initiative, which has already popularized luxury train dining in Taiwan. By integrating a wedding element, the new service fills a niche in experiential weddings, particularly appealing to millennial and Gen Z couples who value memorable experiences over traditional ceremonies.
💒 Weddings Meet Experiential Tourism
The wedding industry in Taiwan, like in many parts of Asia, has undergone significant change in recent years. Amid falling birth rates and changing societal norms, there’s been a shift toward smaller, experience-focused weddings. With more couples opting out of lavish, large-scale celebrations, providers are now competing to offer premium yet intimate alternatives.
The “wedding train” fits perfectly into this emerging segment—providing a hybrid of luxury travel, exclusive dining, and private celebration. It also aligns with Taiwan’s broader tourism strategy of promoting domestic luxury travel to compensate for international visitor slumps and shifting demographic trends.
💰 Price Tag and Market Positioning
The train package starts at a base price of NT$600,000 (approx. US$19,700) for the entire experience. While this positions it in the high-end market, industry experts believe the exclusivity and prestige of the offering could attract not only local high-net-worth individuals but also overseas Taiwanese and international clientele seeking a unique wedding destination.
This service also sets a precedent in the Asian luxury wedding tourism sector, which is still developing in comparison to the West. If successful, Taiwan’s wedding train model could inspire similar offerings in Japan, South Korea, and even Southeast Asia.
🧭 What’s Next for Luxury Rail in Taiwan?
The launch of the wedding train may mark a turning point in how Taiwan utilizes its railway infrastructure—not just as a transit system, but as an experiential tourism platform. The collaboration between FDC Hotels, Lion Travel, and TRA reflects a broader public-private synergy that Taiwan is fostering to rejuvenate domestic tourism post-pandemic.
If proven popular, similar concepts such as “anniversary trains,” “corporate retreat trains,” or even “honeymoon rail tours” may soon follow, potentially leading to a new era of luxury, on-the-go events.
FAQs
What is the Wedding Train in Taiwan?
It’s a luxury one-day rail journey from Taipei to Hualien and back, designed specifically for wedding celebrations, offering gourmet Michelin-starred dining and leisure stops.
Who operates the service?
The service is jointly operated by FDC International Hotels Corp., Lion Travel, and Taiwan Railways Administration.
What’s included in the package?
The package includes round-trip train travel, a Michelin-starred wedding banquet for up to 50 guests, and a leisure activity stop in Hualien.
How much does the wedding train cost?
The base price for the full experience is NT$600,000 (approx. US$19,700).
Can non-wedding parties rent the train?
Currently, the primary focus is on weddings, but future customizations may be offered for private celebrations or corporate events.
